News, opinion and commentary

Food additive firms fined for price fixing

Article Abstract:

Jungbunzlauer International AG of Switzerland and Springfield, NJ-based Haarmann & Reimer Corp. (H&R), which is the US unit of Bayer AG of Germany, have agreed to pay a total of C$6.7 million in fines by the Federal Court of Canada for their involvement in a global conspiracy to fix prices and allocate market shares within the industry. Jungbunzlauer was fined C$2 million for its role in the manipulation of citric acid market and for the company's involvement in a similar scheme manipulate the marketing of sodium gluconate. On the other hand, H&R was fined C$4.7 million for the company's role in manipulating the sales of citric acid, which is utilized in drinks and food items, between 1991 and 1995.

Molecules made to march to a new beat

Article Abstract:

Emmite Drumsticks Inc has launched its glow-in-the-dark drumsticks. The drumsticks are made from polyethylene that has been forced through a heated die at high pressure. The process straightens billions of balled-up chains of polymers into strands, which makes the product stronger and stiffer than ordinary plastics. The company claims that the plastic drumsticks lasts three to five times longer than hickory drumsticks.